Who Is God? (Acadia Studies in Bible and Theology): Key Moments of Biblical Revelation

by Richard Bauckham

Internationally respected scholar Richard Bauckham offers a brief, engaging study of divine revelation in Scripture. He probes the deep meaning of well-known moments in the biblical story in order to address the key question the Bible is designed to answer: Who is God?

Accessible for laypeople and important to scholars, this volume begins by exploring three key events in the Bible in which God is revealed: Jacob's dream at Bethel (the revelation of the divine presence), Moses at the burning bush (the revelation of the divine Name), and Moses on Mount Sinai (the revelation of the divine character). From there, Bauckham shows how the New Testament builds on these Old Testament passages by exploring three revelatory events in Mark's Gospel, events that reveal the Trinity: Jesus's baptism, transfiguration, and crucifixion.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, God, Church

126 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2020

About the author

Richard Bauckham (PhD, University of Cambridge) is senior scholar at Ridley Hall, Cambridge University, in Cambridge, England, where he teaches for the Cambridge Federation of Theological Colleges. He is also a visiting professor at St. Mellitus College, London, and emeritus professor of New Testament at the University of St. Andrews. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and the author of numerous books.

Reviews

[Carmen Imes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a brief book and in places I experienced deep insight that characterizes Bauckham's work. I especially enjoyed his final chapter on the book of Mark. However, the book began as a series of public lectures, and it covers much ground that is well-trodden. I expect it will be a helpful book for those newer to biblical studies. I found myself not always convinced by his ways of reading. His characterization of Old Testament texts sometimes did not quite capture their essence. And there are implications for his understanding of New Testament texts. Readers familiar with my own book, 'Bearing God's Name' will be able to readily spot differences in our interpretation of the Name Command (Exodus 20:7), the Lord's Prayer, and the Transfiguration.

[Gwilym Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very helpful little book. I enjoyed rereading it more than I did the first time through - mostly, I think, because I was paying more attention. Exegetically rigorous biblical theology done well.

[Ryan Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably good - the first 3 chapters are really very good, but the last a little less interesting. A must read.

[Zachary Skilling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read but I gave 4 stars simply because there are no footnotes for secondary sources! Major bummer. Bauckham does include key bibliographic info at the end of the chapters but it is pretty light and you have to go hunt down the discussions since page numbers are not included.

[Toby Irvine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice book thinking about the character of God that made me glad to know him and be his. Also some interesting exegesis in each chapter that I hadn't ever thought about before - particularly liked the idea of 'Father' being Jesus' substitution for YHWH and the link between Isaiah 64 and the 'tearing apart' in Mark 1 and 15.

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 5 out of 5]

These four lectures are rich reflections on four aspects of the nature of God from a Biblical theologian.

I found them to be enriching and illuminating. Bauckham makes inter-canonical connections that draw out the richness of Scripture.

[Timothy Lenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

So encouraging and stimulating. It's a thin and easy read but rises out of Bauckham's extensive and deep studies. I highly recommend - based on beautiful biblical theology, it can help further develop a familiarity with who God reveals Himself to be.

[Jared Donis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It came recommended. I didn’t even know Bauckham had written this. It was a pleasant surprise. It’s also a small volume, so I finished it in few days. Despite its size, it’s packed with stunning theological illumination on the names of God and how God chose to reveal Himself.

I recommend this to everybody interested in religion and philosophy… especially to those who argue that the God of the Old Testament is somehow more cruel and violent than the New Testament God as preached by Jesus. It addresses one of (not all the answers, I am afraid) the most profound aspects of the debate—that God, by the very name He chooses to be identified with, affirms that He is merciful, compassionate and steadfastly loving.

Find out more from the book… Bauckham never disappoints. I thank Judy for lending me this great work.

[Wes Van Fleet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bauckham delivers a short but rich unfolding of God’s revelation from Scripture. He has a way of explaining complex ideas in a simple and understandable way. As an avid student of Old Testament allusions, I was like a kid in a candy store. I may have used all the ink in my pen underlining and writing notes in the margins. The chapters on The Revelation of the Divine Name and The Revelation of the Trinity are my favorite, but that doesn’t mean the others chapters were less rich in content. I will return to this book many times and believe it’s accessible to scholars, pastors, and laypersons. Enjoy!

[Christian Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short book Bauckham walks through the beauty of who God is and how he reveals himself throughout the Bible. He breaks down what it actually means for God to proclaim that he is “with” his people, and he looks at the presence of God in the essence of his name, his power, and in the triune form. A great worshipful book that is accessible to all.

[Drew Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, accessible, and deeply insightful scholarly reflections on key moments of revelation throughout the story of Scripture that disclose the character of God.

[Cbarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bauckham provides a remarkably insightful and exceptionally enriching biblical theological study on the implications and ramifications of God’s presence, God’s Name, and God’s character. I doing so, he weaves the thematic threads of Scripture highlighting the unity of the canon and finds its message culminating in Jesus Christ.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quick, wonderfully conversational, filled with hot takes and solid reminders. I love the narrative criticism and linkage/ping pong between OT promises and NT fulfillment.

[Harry Wilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d give this six stars if I could (Spinal Tap etc etc). So much complex but exciting theology packed into just 120 odd pages. Richard goes through a huge amount of content and fairly nuanced analysis of Hebrew and Greek words and yet still maintains an accessible and simple style of writing (unlike many of his other academic theologian colleagues). I’ll definitely be re-reading this down the line.

[James Wheeler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bauckham seems beholden to the historical literary approach to the biblical text. Though this could be a limit and i think at points causes him to be even more speculative than those who use additional critical approaches, his focus creates some fine scholarship. I did find his literary and intertextual insights to be intriguing and edifying. He demonstrates that he is a master of the biblical languages and nuances of the text.

Casual and historically driven readers of the Bible have a hard time seeing these links or appreciating the richness of the text because of their cartesian anxiety about historical accuracy. That is a sad legacy for modern day conservative minded readers of the text. Hard to love and be compelled by a text that demands you check your brain, experience, tradition or education at the door.

That love is a fixed source of power in our universe is a powerful and liberating concept. What are the grounds for this? God's love tears open the heavens (Mark 1:9 & 15:38) and he shares his beloved Son with humanity. What are the implications of this action, of a God who descends to broken, fickle, unpredictable, moody humanity?

Isaiah longed for this kind of love from God (64:1) and then Mark tells us it came, (1:9) in Jesus. And we see this at his baptism.

"For Jesus to bear the burden of humanity's sin and suffering, left by his Father to die, he had to be acting out of love for his Father, fulfilling his Father's will and making it his own will, and he had to be sustained by his Father's love for him a this supreme moment of their relationship." 107

[Kenson Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is God? It is a question that we have all asked ourselves, including Moses, one of the most prominent figures in the Old Testament, who asks about the identity of God. Who is God? A question that transcends times and people.

Richard Bauckham (PhD, University of Cambridge) who is a senior scholar at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, and who has also been a visiting professor at St. Mellitus College, London, and emeritus professor of New Testament at the University of St. Andrews, invites us to reflect on this question in this short book entitled "Who is God?", the reader will find here a Theology Proper that invites you to reflect on how God reveals himself in the Scriptures and how this changes our perception of Him and ourselves.

The author interconnects the Old and New Testaments, presented to Jesus as the fulfillment of what we see in the Hebrew scriptures, He is God with us. Emanuel.

When I started reading this book, I thought it would be a dense and systematic book, however, I found it to be a pleasant read, ideal for every christian. Sunday school teachers and pastors will benefit in their exposition on the attributes and being of God by consulting this short but concise book by Dr. Bauckham.

This book takes us from Genesis to Revelation, approaching Scripture as canonical whole and considering the context of each passage.

Do you want to go deeper into how the Scriptures present us to God? This is a book that helps us achieve that goal.

[Hobart · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader as part of a quick takes post to catch up--emphasizing pithiness, not thoroughness.
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This is one of those deceptively easy reads that shouldn't be read easily. Based on lectures that Bauckman has delivered, the book takes a Redemptive Historical approach to God's revelation of Himself. "Jacob's dream at Bethel (the revelation of the divine presence), Moses at the burning bush (the revelation of the divine Name), and Moses on Mount Sinai (the revelation of the divine character)...He then shows how the New Testament builds on the Old by exploring three revelatory events in Mark's Gospel, events that reveal the Trinity: Jesus's baptism, transfiguration, and crucifixion." After looking at the particular text, Bauckman then traces that revelation through Scripture showing how the same thought it echoed and expanded throughout.

As these chapters were originally lectures, they're not full of footnotes—but they're clearly the product of a lot of scholarship. There's deep thought here and great spiritual nourishment.

[Rafael Sales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually, whatever thing that works in biblical studies outside of systematic theology is a good thing for me. When I study who is God, I want to understand how the Bible developed who God is. I waiting for the authors to walk through the biblical text and show us how the biblical authors develop the revelation of God, and how the revelation going to grow up through their minds. Bauckham does this in a really good and objective book. The book is very simple and easy to read, one could read it in a few hours.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A marvelous little book on Gods revelation and presence! You would be hard pressed to find another book at about 100pgs in length that involves deep exegesis and theological reflection. There are so many wonderful observations that Bauckham makes which are both interesting and edifying. Although not convinced by all his claims, many of them were helpful and gave me new appreciation for biblical texts that I had not considered deeply before.

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richard Baukham makes the profound simple. The book is elegantly written and gentle. You can hear the author'so voice in the writing, which I guess is not surprising as it was bases on a series of lectures. It is an easy read. I was particularly moved by the first chapter. The book led me to ponder and the pondering led me to worship. I highly recommend it.

[Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible and readable work of biblical theology, Bauckham brings his considerable skill and expertise to clarify often overlooked moments in the biblical story that clarify for us who God is as He has revealed Himself to us.

[Cameron Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and theologically sweet.

[Радостин Марчев]

Какво да кажа, Бакъм е един от големите даже и с такива малки ккнижки.

[Philip Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent example of how close exegesis of passages almost does its own application. Very stimulating thoughts from Genesis, Exodus, and Mark.

[Matthew Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple observation recorded profoundly by a master theologian

[Richard Boll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

GIVES INSIGHTS INTO SECTIONS OF SCRIPTURE AND ENLIGHTENMENT TO THE SOUL. GREAT REFERENCE FOR FURTHER STUDY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.

[Phillip Nash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful piece of exegesis by Richard Bauckham. Wish we could hear more like this in our Churches each week.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. An insightful and encouraging read on 4 key moments in the Old and New Testaments. Highly recommend.

[Will Cunningham-Batt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little gem of a book. Highly edifying!

[Chad Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bauckham always delights. He has such a gift to take massive swaths of theology and distill it down to be digestible for us simpler folk to understand.